CFL.ca Staff

TORONTO -- Former Calgary Stampeder and CFL Most Outstanding Canadian Gerry Datillio is winning once again, but this time by losing. Datillio has lost a staggering 63 pounds, the most amongst the eight CFL Alumni who are competing in the Herbal Magic Weight Loss Cup (www.weightlosscup.ca) to lose weight and adopt a healthier lifestyle.

He is currently sitting atop of the standings, but he knows it's a long way to the finish line.

"I think I'm starting to plateau and that's not a good thing especially since I have all those big boys breathing down my neck," commented Datillio. "Now that I know where I stand in the competition the pressure is on to stay in the lead. This contest is not a sprint, it's a marathon."

The challenge kicked off at the start of the 2010 CFL season and will last 20 weeks. The player achieving the most points will be crowned the Weight Loss Cup Champion in November. All contestants began to change their lifestyle with Herbal Magic during the pre-season, which began in May, 2010.

Players receive six points a week for achieving their goal - whether it be weight loss, or keeping weight off. If they don't achieve their goal, they receive three points for their efforts. They can also receive a bonus point for achieving 10% of the weekly fan vote. Fans are encouraged to rally behind their favourite players by voting at www.weightlosscup.ca. They can also enter a contest and could win weekly prizes and a grand prize trip for two to this year's sold out 98th Grey Cup in Edmonton.

Players are setting weekly goals and achieving them through the Herbal Magic weight loss program which consists of eating real food (no pre-packaged meals), using natural health products and getting advice from a personal health coach, who will support them and give some tough love when needed. So far the eight former players have combined to lose 248.6 pounds.